Emerging Fervour

Curator Ria Hawthorne is presenting an exhibition at the Design Museum paying tribute to the big names in fashion illustration.

This exhibition showcases fashion illustrators at their creative heights: Georges Lepape at the beginning of the century, Gruau in the 40′s and 50′s, Antonio throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s, to current artists Mats Gustafson, Aurore de la Morinerie and Francois Berthoud. Film-clips, news reels, music and photography will sit alongside the original illustrations to reflect not only the spirit and the style of the decades but also the wider social and cultural changes of the century.

Le Pape

Francois Berthound

Mats Gustafson

‘Drawing Fashion’ also includes a rare collection of work from classic advertisements, vintage Vogue covers and illustrations from Chanel, Dior, Comme des Garçons, McQueen and Viktor & Rolf.

For information on tickets, check out Ticketweb. Drawing Fashion runs until March 2011 – I hope I’ll be in London before then!

For ticke

I’ve just come back from Beirut after spending a couple of weeks grazing out there whilst the lovely Nat has been blogging every day the trooper! My trip wasn’t just a holiday though, it was in preparation for my permanent move out there in the next couple of months – yes, my secret destination is Beirut city! None of my friends believe that I’m actually doing it this time; it’s pretty much been the same story since graduating – but it really is happening – promise!

Deciding to move wasn’t an easy task…but my 2 weeks there finally convinced me that this was a challenge I was up for…the middle-east’s fashion capital!

Downtown Beirut

Souks in Beirut

In a series of blogs, we’ll explore the the fashion and lifestyle do’s and don’ts in this small city, preparing me for what’s to come.

Bag Ladies

There are 2 types of females in Beirut. Those who are driven by designer brands and the rest of us who are content to explore.

Last week the Baselworld exhibition closed its doors after 8 days where 1’915 exhibitors from five continents showed the 100,700 trade buyers from 100 countries that streamed into the halls what we can expect in the watch & jewellery industry this season.

The list of exhibitors reads like a dream for the riches (or thieves!). Tag Heuer, Breitling, Chopard, Gucci, Dior, Chanel, Tiffany’s & Co, Bulgari, Rolex, Omega; on and on goes the list.

Although I was working at the exhibition and didn’t get much time to browse, whenever I had a break and walked the halls, I was still taken aback by the sheer luxury that shouts from every stand. Some of them can take 6 weeks if not longer to build and will take 3 weeks to take down and looking at these constructions of mini houses it is no surprise. Some, such as Breitling, have 3 stories and are bigger than many of our flats. They have stairs, bridges, race cars, aquariums, you name it, and there is surely a stall that has it! It’s sheer decadence but then these are the big players of the industry with the bigger budgets. There are also some smaller brands which house in little stalls; it’s their work rather than the stall that have to draw the buyers in.

We did a piece on Jeni Jaques and Harlow in Chains not too long ago; and we’ve gone one better and managed to get an interview with her. There are few designers who move me with their stories behind their reasons to become designers…Jeni Jaques from Harlow in Chains is one of the very few. Her anwers to my questions are filled with so much passion and love that she would even inspire Gordon Brown to become a jewellery designer. This lady is incredible…take a peek at our interview with her.

EF: Jeni, we absolutely love your style…what inspires you to create these big statement pieces?

Jeni Jaques: Thank you!! I’ve always loved art and creation in all forms: painting, illustration, sewing/fashion design & construction, writing, photography and in recent years constructing one-of-a-kind jewelry and accessories… I’ve also always had a love for older vintage and antique items and have been collecting those since I was a young child. I love the history, mystery and sense of wonder that each and every piece holds: ‘What kind of woman wore this brooch?’; ‘Was this locket a gift from a loved one?’; ‘Did it hold a special meaning?’; ‘What journey has this piece followed to end up in my hands, to use in part to create an entirely new piece?’ It’s mysterious and slightly haunting; I love that…

You might remember a while back I did a piece about Mo Kiddo and his paintings, plus an exclusive interview. This time, we’re peaking into his wardrobe in this week’s feature. Mo is actually my cousin…the flamboyant and quirky one in the family that everyone loves.

From Lanvin to Versace, Mo loves his designer brands and these designers must love him…I mean look at the size of that f*****g wardrobe!

He’s in Belgium, so I asked him to send me pictures of his favourite outfits to put in this feature…As usual, Mo is in LaLa land when I’m talking to him, and he decides to send me his own style shots…he’s too far, but if you can, check out Mo’s top 3 outfits!

JUMPER

SCARF